"No worries. It gets easier. But, sweetie, you've gotta try."
"I will. I promise."
• • •
AN hour later Amery stood at the front window in her living room, watching the rare summer rain. She'd opened the windows to let the scent of warm, wet concrete fill the room. The curtains billowed in the damp breeze and droplets spattered against the floor.
There was something so cleansing about rain. Something soothing.
Her phone buzzed on the coffee table. Tempting to ignore it and wallow in the fresh air, letting the rain wash away her troubles for one night.
But she picked it up and felt that little twist in her stomach when she saw Ronin's name. She answered, "Yes?"
"I'm in back, soaked to the bone. I've been beating on the door for five minutes. Will you please let me in?"
She'd been so lost in thought she hadn't heard him. Ironic that most of her thoughts had been about him.
After ending the call, she made her way down the spiral staircase. She swung open the heavy door and momentarily lost the ability to breathe.
The streetlamp bathed Ronin in a silvery glow. Water dripped off the ends of his hair and ran in rivulets down the planes and angles of his face. Droplets sparkled like liquid diamonds and flowed down his black leather coat.
He stared at her, equally mesmerized. In that moment she knew what would happen if she let him in. But he didn't push. Didn't speak. He left the decision up to her.
Was she ready to be Ronin Black's lover?
And the answer came quickly in a mental shout. Yes.
Amery stepped aside.
He scaled the step and stood before her.
A cold blast of air gusted in as she closed the door, sending a shiver through her.
Her shivers intensified when she looked at him. Larger than life but so deadly still. A predator poised to pounce.
"If you get the coat dried off, the leather will probably be fine." She continued to babble. "You can use my blow-dryer on the lining so it doesn't get moldy. There are towels in the bathroom upstairs-"
"Amery."
Just the way he said her name shut her up immediately.
He stepped forward, full of grace and purpose.
She stayed frozen, letting him come to her. Watching the rise and fall of his chest. His strong jaw was set, as was his mouth. When he got close enough she could see his face, the searing heat in his eyes had her backing up a step. Then another.
"Stop."
She stopped.
"Yes or no."
Still giving her a choice. Amery barely whispered, "Yes," and Ronin was on her, his hands on her cheeks, holding her head steady for the onslaught of his kiss.
Her mouth opened to welcome him. She tugged him closer, desperate for body to body contact, craving his passion. But he continued kissing her, holding her head hostage while the rest of her body clamored for more.
Ronin's kiss was all-consuming. Controlling. Fiery hot.
She slipped her hands inside his coat, digging her fingernails into his pectorals. Wanting to rip the material free so she could feel his heated skin beneath her hands. His mouth dragged her deeper into the kiss, deeper into him. Her pussy grew slick. Her nipples hard. Her desire greater.
He released her mouth, and whispered, "What you do to me," against her throat. "Need you now. Fast and hard. The rest can come after."
"Yes."
Ronin's coat hit the concrete floor with a wet splat. He ditched his T-shirt and unbuckled his belt.
She hooked her fingers into the elastic band of her sweatpants, shedding the sweats and panties. Next came her shirt, and lastly her sports bra.
How she'd managed to get undressed with Ronin mere inches from her surprised her as much as the fact that he was naked too.
"I see you've got ninja clothes-removal skills," she said with a soft purr, finally getting her hands on his bare skin.
"You should've seen how fast I put on a condom."
She stared at him. "You've already got a condom on?"
"Yes, because I don't want to wait. I don't think I can." He slapped his hands on her ass and lifted.
Amery wrapped her leg around his hip and he hoisted her up until both legs circled his waist. She clutched his neck as he walked backward. How could he see where they were going with his mouth doing such wickedly naughty things to her ear?
He stopped, pressing her back against the circular staircase. "Reach above you and grab on to the railing."
"But I want to touch you."
"You will. But for now, baby, I need you to hang on."
Her palms bit into the metal as she wrapped her fingers around the thin hand railing. She wasn't supporting her weight-Ronin's body bore every bit of that. Seeing the lustful expression as his golden-eyed gaze started at her breasts and tracked upward, her sex clenched.